Health Ministry urges more malls to enforce non-smoking rule

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has called for more shopping malls and recreational centres to emulate The Sunway Group in declaring its premises as a non-­smoking zone.

During a press conference at Sunway Putra Mall here yesterday, Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subra­maniam commended the company for its commitment to becoming a smoke-free establishment.

“Such efforts should be emulated by other establishments. If other shopping malls and recreational centres can also become smoke-free zones, it would help the ministry in its effort to make Malaysia a smoke-free nation by 2045,” he said, adding that the process would take a long time.

Dr Subramaniam also said the ministry might enlist auxilliary policemen at indoor complexes to monitor and enforce no-smoking rules.

“We have received approval from the Royal Malaysian Police to train auxilliary policemen regarding our legal system.

“They will be granted authority to enforce no-smoking rules in their respective areas,” he added.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry would continue its campaign, which included gazetting more non-smoking areas.

“We have taken legal action such as declaring covered spaces, public parks, and rest and relaxation areas along the North-South Expressway as non-smoking zones.

“Every year, we gazette more and more smoke-free areas,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam was speaking to reporters after launching the World No Tobacco Day programme jointly organised by the Malaysian Health Promotion Board and The Sunway Group.

Also present was Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah.

World No Tobacco Day was officially celebrated worldwide on May 31.